ROCKINGHAM — Senior swimmer Paxlee Faircloth has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Lady Raider swimming team began its new season last Wednesday, and Faircloth impressed in her debut with the sport to help Richmond to a fifth-place finish against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents.
Earning points in two different events, this is Faircloth’s first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Age: 18
Birthday: Oct. 15, 2003
Year: Senior
Winter Sport: Swimming
Events: 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard relay
Height & Weight: 5-7, 150 pounds
Years on Varsity: 1 year
SWIMMING LAPS WITH PAXLEE FAIRCLOTH
Richmond opened its season at St. Andrews last week and used a combination of returning swimmers and newcomers to notch 47 points. Faircloth participated in two events in her first high school meet — the individual 50-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Swimming in the first heat of the 50-yard freestyle against four other swimmers, Faircloth won her race with a time of 34.68 seconds. Out of 28 swimmers, Faircloth finished 7th overall and earned 7 points for the Lady Raiders.
Richmond picked up the majority of its points (24) in the 200-yard freestyle relay, which Faircloth anchored with a mark of 34.94 seconds. Joining her in the third-place finish in the event were senior Ellie Buck and juniors Karter Walker and Bobbie Faircloth.
The four Lady Raiders clocked in with a time of 2:32.03, which was 34.68 seconds faster than fourth-place Hoke County High School (3:06.71).
Both times were personal records for Faircloth, as she and the rest of the Lady Raiders will look to improve in their second meet of the season this week. Richmond will swim at St. Andrews on Wednesday, starting at 6:15 p.m.
Paxlee Faircloth nears the turn during her 50-yard freestyle race, which she placed first in her heat and 7th overall. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH PAXLEE FAIRCLOTH
ROSports: You are new to the sport of swimming. What have been the most challenging and rewarding parts so far, and what are your thoughts on your first races?
Faircloth: “It’s been a great experience so far and I’m really liking the sport. I like the competition and just swimming in general. The most challenging thing is having to pace my breathing when I’m swimming.
“I was nervous for my first races, but I just did what I had to do. I was excited to finish first in my heat and I’m proud of that. I’m ready for the next race.”
ROSports: You also play soccer at Richmond. How are swimming and soccer similar and/or different?
Faircloth: “The endurance is similar. With soccer, I have to run and pace myself on the field, and it’s the same in the water.
“Building my endurance during swimming is more difficult because I’m new at it. Soccer is easier since I’ve been playing since I was little.”
ROSports: What are your plans for after high school and why are you interested in that career field?
Faircloth: “I want to either join the Air Force or go to Richmond Community College for the substation program. I’ve always wanted to join the Air Force, and if that doesn’t work out, I’m interested in the substation program because it looks like a good career.”
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week soon.
